Visualizing the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill

Never mind the slightly saccharine title; www.ifitwasmyhome.com is a simple but effective way to visualize the current state of the BP oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. The website superimposes NOAA's current image of the spill onto whatever geographic location you want.

Never mind the slightly saccharine title; www.ifitwasmyhome.com is a simple but effective way to visualize the current state of the BP oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. The website superimposes NOAA's current image of the spill onto whatever geographic location you want.

We all know it's a huge disaster, of course, but most of us aren't so good at visualizing size or scale over water. There aren't many landmarks on most maps except the shoreline, and for those of us that don't know the Louisiana coast... seeing the spill over centered over your hometown does give you an idea of how big this is. Depressing, but another example of technology helping to make something more comprehensible. The site also has links about how you can help.

Also, it's World Ocean's Day! Oceanography and former NOAA chief Sylvia Earle says that the best thing you can do for the oceans right now is support marine reserves. Interview, details, and suggestions over at Treehugger.
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